# Overview
The Partner API enables AppSumo Partners to programmatically access the data found in their Partner Dashboard. This access enables Partners to effectively scale their business by automating their backend, freeing up time to focus their product.
# What's an API?
API is the acronym for Application Programming Interface, which that allows two applications to talk to each other. This allows your application to access the AppSumo service and receive information related to your application.
# Do you need to use this?
In short, no you don't. The Partner Portal API is an option for our partner's to fetch data for auditing or to perform automation tasks. For example, you have a user that hasn't logged in a long time, and you want to double check that their license is still valid. Another example would be a monthly check to see that the status of all your licenses are in sync with AppSumo.